Related Federal Cases
- Scott Slagel, Butane Hash Oil Lab Operation, Rhode Island 2015 · Rhode Island
- Scott Slagel, Endangering Human Life While Illegally Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Rhode Island 2015 · Rhode Island
- Juan G. Catala, Oxycodone Trafficking, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- Charlotte Demers, Oxycodone Tampering, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- Michael Bermudez, Heroin Trafficking, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
Westerly Man Admits to Operating Butane Hash Oil Lab
Scott Slagel, 41, of Westerly, has made a grave mistake. The Westerly resident pleaded guilty to endangering human life while illegally manufacturing a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division, Westerly Police Chief Edward W. St. Clair, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, on Friday.
According to information presented to the court, in the early morning hours of November 27, 2015, in the wake of a fire in a multi-unit apartment building on Apache Drive in Westerly, investigators discovered an active butane hash oil lab in the unit where the fire originated. After extinguishing the fire and securing the scene, investigators located a number of items related to a butane hash oil manufacturing laboratory, including marijuana plants, multiple cans of butane, glass tubes and a vacuum oven containing butane hash oil, commonly referred to as “shatter.”
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Slagel admitted to the court that he used the above-described items to manufacture butane hash oil in what is known as the open-blast method.
Slagel, who has been free on unsecured bond since his arraignment on April 5, 2016, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by the Westerly Police Department, DEA and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Slagel is expected to face the consequences for his actions, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. One thing is certain, however, the community will be safer with him behind bars.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking